Scientific American’s trip to this year’s International Consumer Electronics Show turned up some oddities

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ULTRA HDTV:

Panasonic, one of several major manufacturers introducing ultra-high-definition TVs at CES , unveiled what the company refers to as “the world’s largest 4K OLED,” or organic light-emitting diode, developed in partnership with Sony (which had its own version of this TV on display at its booth).....[
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ULTRA HDTV:

Panasonic, one of several major manufacturers introducing ultra-high-definition TVs at CES, unveiled what the company refers to as “the world’s largest 4K OLED,” or organic light-emitting diode, developed in partnership with Sony (which had its own version of this TV on display at its booth). As part of the not-so-subtle game of one-upmanship on display at CES, this 56-inch prototype model checked in at one inch bigger than OLEDs unveiled by Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics at the 2012 CES.

NAILED IT:

Tech Tips demonstrated a finger-mounted stylus designed for touch-screen precision, particularly on smart-phone screens. For those tapping away on smart phones while out in the cold, the stylus can also be worn over a gloved finger.....[
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NAILED IT:

Tech Tips demonstrated a finger-mounted stylus designed for touch-screen precision, particularly on smart-phone screens. For those tapping away on smart phones while out in the cold, the stylus can also be worn over a gloved finger. For smart-phone users whose tapping is impeded by long fingernails, the company also introduced Nano Nail, a conductive artificial nail that can be painted and glued atop one’s natural nail.

SMART GARDEN:

Many (many) companies came to CES bearing cases, stands, screen protectors and other accessories for the multitude of smart phones, tablets and other gadgets on the market. Few displays were as creative as this one by Acase .....[
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SMART GARDEN:

Many (many) companies came to CES bearing cases, stands, screen protectors and other accessories for the multitude of smart phones, tablets and other gadgets on the market. Few displays were as creative as this one by Acase.

MISTY MARKETING:

Based on the sampling of high-tech marketing devices on display at CES, holography should play a big role in the future of selling products. Displair showed off its “airborne interactive display,” which projects an image against a stream of ultrafine vapor that pours upward out of the device and works a bit like a humidifier.....[
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MISTY MARKETING:

Based on the sampling of high-tech marketing devices on display at CES, holography should play a big role in the future of selling products. Displair showed off its “airborne interactive display,” which projects an image against a stream of ultrafine vapor that pours upward out of the device and works a bit like a humidifier. Sensors and software embedded in the projector respond the vapor stream is touched. Placing a finger in one spot might, for example, prompt a new image to appear.

IT’S A PLEASURE:

If it seems there’s an app for everything, that’s because there probably is. OhMiBod offers one that connects its lineup of vibrators and other personal massage devices to the iTunes library running on an iPhone or iPad .....[
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IT’S A PLEASURE:

If it seems there’s an app for everything, that’s because there probably is. OhMiBod offers one that connects its lineup of vibrators and other personal massage devices to the iTunes library running on an iPhone or iPad. Each song causes OhMiBod’s gadgets to vibrate to a different rhythm. Pleasure seekers can create and store playlists and even control vibration intensity via their mobile devices. Ohmi indeed.

STREET LEGAL:

As usual Ford used CES to show off a number of new vehicles and technologies, including this single-seat, open-wheel Formula One EcoBoost Road Car. Although at first glance the racer doesn’t look street legal, it does have the requisite license plates, wheel covers, front and rear lights, mirrors and tires to keep its driver from being pulled over (as long as the local speed limit is respected).....[
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STREET LEGAL:

As usual Ford used CES to show off a number of new vehicles and technologies, including this single-seat, open-wheel Formula One EcoBoost Road Car. Although at first glance the racer doesn’t look street legal, it does have the requisite license plates, wheel covers, front and rear lights, mirrors and tires to keep its driver from being pulled over (as long as the local speed limit is respected). The 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine—so-named because it is designed to deliver higher fuel efficiency than other turbocharged, direct-injected combustion engines—is available in European versions of Ford’s B-MAX, C-MAX and Focus, and will be available in U.S. models later this year.

HYBRID RACER:

Although most consumers will never have the opportunity to drive Audi’s R18 e-tron quattro , the concept hybrid racecar made quite a splash at CES. Aside from being a feast for the eyes, the R18 sports some impressive technology, including a specially designed flywheel accumulator system that recovers and stores kinetic energy during braking .....[
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HYBRID RACER:

Although most consumers will never have the opportunity to drive Audi’s R18 e-tron quattro, the concept hybrid racecar made quite a splash at CES. Aside from being a feast for the eyes, the R18 sports some impressive technology, including a specially designed flywheel accumulator system that recovers and stores kinetic energy during braking. The car also features a digital rearview “mirror”—actually an Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (AMOLED) screen that provides the driver with high-resolution images shot by a digital camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle. AMOLEDs use organic materials to form images on a thin-film display screen. An actual rearview mirror would be impractical; high speeds would cause a mirror to shake, and the car doesn’t have a rear window.

ELECTRIC SKATES:

Acton, Inc.’s spnKiX are battery-powered electric skates that strap over your shoes and are controlled by a handheld remote. The company refers to them as “the world’s smallest electric vehicle.” That may be a bit of a stretch, considering you’re doing a lot of the work (just to stay upright).....[
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ELECTRIC SKATES:

Acton, Inc.’s spnKiX are battery-powered electric skates that strap over your shoes and are controlled by a handheld remote. The company refers to them as “the world’s smallest electric vehicle.” That may be a bit of a stretch, considering you’re doing a lot of the work (just to stay upright). Still, the spnKiX will take you as far as 11 kilometers per charge, depending on the rider’s weight and the angle of the surface (uphill, downhill or straightway) at up to 16 kilometers per hour. The skates, developed with the help of the crowd-funding site Kickstarter, can be slowed using the remote control or a stopper located on the heel (much like roller or inline skates).